I’ve recently reformatted my computer and started missing my favorite dev tools. In an attempt to record them, I can also share them with others.
A list of my current favorite web tools…
Text Editor:
Compression Utility:
- IZARC – IMO, better than winzip
Localhost Server (Apache/mySQL):
- Wamp – Run an Apache web server on your PC. You can configure it to run or not run on startup. It also includes mySQl and a few php extensions.
Firefox extensions:
- measureit – Measure pixels right on your screen.
- colorzilla – Grab colors off of web pages, zoom, and built in color picker.
- web developer – CSS, XHTML, Screen resize, line guides, disable styles and much much more.
- firebug – A great tool especially for pages created in php. You may have 100 lines of code before the html begins. This helps you debug xhtml issues on “line 12″ which is actually line 112. Works well with included php files as well.
IE Explorer Add On:
- IE Dev Toolbar(For IE Similar to Firebug)
Tools, Dev, Developer, Dev Tools
I had recently been peeking into a SQL database via Microsoft Access. I got quite used to browsing all the tables and fields, seeing their data types, and visually seeing their relationships. I’ve just began a project that connects to a proprietary(aged) database that uses ODBC to connect to it. Access would not allow me to view this the same (At least I couldn’t figure it out).
After a quick search I found a freeware application called passportODBC(You can download from other locations/ sites). It does require some information from you to register it. Some basic info like your name, and email and a phone number.
It’s not as fast as access and SQL server 2005, but I’m suspecting a lot of that has to do that it is ODBC. It’s really quite simple to use. Choose your data source, enter some credentials and go. You can view tables, all the fields, and the field attributes.
ODBC, programming, database
Update 2/28/07 1:20PM
Embassy Software offers the download direct from their site.
Update 5/16/07
I found a more simple tool for viewing via ODBC. You can compose queries and the likes. It’s much more simple to use (for me anyways) ODBC View can be downloaded from sliksoftware.co.nz
I had a few forms that included a delete button, and also a submit button together. Having filled out forms myself I have a habit of hitting the return key. I dug up an old form I made a few years ago and found this bit of javascript to disable the key. It doesn’t disable it 100%, but only when it doesn’t have focus. So it can still be tabbed to and then the return key will work. A mouse click will do at any time…
<html>
<head>
<!-- disable return key -->
<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">
function checkCR(evt) {
var evt = (evt) ? evt : ((event) ? event : null);
var node = (evt.target) ? evt.target : ((evt.srcElement) ? evt.srcElement : null);
if ((evt.keyCode == 13) && (node.type=="text")) {return false;}
}
document.onkeypress = checkCR;
</script>
</head>
<body>...
</body>
</html>
javascript, forms, return key
I’ve been searching the web over an hour now looking for an image for a file folder to be used in a php FTP script I’m creating. Do any readers have suggestions where I could find such an animal? The closest I’ve come was a pay site over at istockphoto.com. I might add that I’m looking for something a little schnazzy like an OSX look. An ‘open’ version and a ‘closed’ version.
Update 10:57am I was able to locate a nice set of clipart at openclipart.org. Most of them are vector images too!
Suggestions? URL’s? Pointers??
I was working up a form and needed to come up with an email regex. I know by now I probably should have my own regex library, or even be able to write my own – but I haven’t exercised my regex skills enough. Often time doesn’t allow an extensive learning period when your already half way through creating a form!
I came across this great regex library at regexlib.com. It’s searchable, offers on the fly tests of user contibuted regular expresssions, rss feeds of recently added patterns, and contains a Cheat Sheet for regex reference.
Of course, programmer beware. Be careful copying and pasting code. And definately test that code before you implement it.
regex, php
